If you’re a spa fan just like me, this piece is meant for you. I’ve been living in Southeast Asia for the past 5 years and it’s been difficult for me to find a place that is easily accessible with effective treatments that are both easy on my mind and skin. I have now found a spa in Kuala Lumpur that gave me just that! Let me tell you that story.
It’s Friday afternoon. Bangsar is just getting ready for the crowds later tonight. Previously a rubber plantation, Bangsar is now a trendy neighbourhood that took after its Western hip counterparts without losing its Malaysian spirit. Barely 20 minutes away from the KL city centre, Bangsar is filled with chic cafes, creative spaces and hipster shops. And if you aren’t in the mood for any of those, turn right at an unassuming sign just after La Bodega, the Spanish tapas and drinks place, and climb a dozen stairs up. I, for one, could have never predicted that I’d arrive at Ozmosis, a hidden gem and a luxury spa.
Opened in 2000, Ozmosis Health & Day Spa prides itself on its title of being Tripadvisor’s #1 spa in Kuala Lumpur. Tucked away in the corner of busy Bangsar, until recently, this spa has mainly been known by locals and expats living in the area and discoverable only by word of mouth; now it is welcoming plenty of patrons given its growing popularity and stellar 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor.
Despite the fact that Ozmosis occupies the upper floor of a busy bar block, no noise disturbs the relaxing atmosphere that is only complimented by the subtle and soothing colour scheme ranging from dark brown to burnt orange.
After my welcome ginger tea, I began unwinding with a relaxing ginger scrub. Not only did it remove dead skin cells, encourage blood circulation and give my skin that rosy post-scrub glow, the treatment was partly aromatherapy as the mix contained energizing oils and actual ginger pieces!
Ozmosis offers 5 types of salt scrubs depending on your skin’s sensitivity and desired effect (e.g. calming versus energizing) but my favourite one is the ginger scrub especially for its healing and warming properties. Byrdie, a British beauty blog, names 3 ginger benefits for the skin:
- Fades scars
- Rejuvenates skin
- Reduces cellulite
Now you know why it’s my favourite!
Next up was their famous deep-tissue massage which will help ebb all your tension away. A special Ozmosis spa warming balm was used to get the blood flow going in the beginning, followed by a refreshing blast to cool down towards the end.
Note: don’t expect a relaxing session as this massage technique works on the deeper layers of the muscle tissue and the lymph nodes. Otherwise, relax and enjoy the ride! Personally, it was not only the best massage in KL but also one of the best massages I’ve ever experienced, ever.
After the massage, Good Spa Guide recommends going “for a sauna or steam bath before and/or after your massage as this will soothe and warm the muscles and boost the effectiveness of the treatment”. Even though it looked very inviting, I decided to skip the Ozmosis steam bath (pictured above). Maybe I’ll try it next time.
I found a somewhat unusual treatment at Ozmosis – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Coupled with Western scientific research, TCM is meant to treat and prevent health problems. I must admit I have always been wary of alternative medicine but agreed for less invasive procedures such as cupping and bone alignment. More daring Ozmosis visitors can opt for an acupuncture session as well.
The former can actually be seen as a type of deep-tissue massage with special suction cups, stimulating the blood circulation and encouraging toxin cleansing. The only drawback of this procedure is the cup pattern that resembles a pepperoni pizza and remains (luckily) only for a couple of days. Incidentally, it didn’t deter Gwyneth Paltrow who is a cupping fan and proudly displays her temporary marks. Doctor Yek from the spa persuaded me to let him attend to an old neck pain I’ve had for years. Ten minutes of massage and one crack later the discomfort was gone! Now I feel it’s my other side that needs some fixing.
The finale of my treatment was a Pevonia Rejuvenating European facial. The Ozmosis team uses only organic and natural skincare brand Pevonia Botanica which is suitable even for most sensitive skin types. My skin really appreciated the natural coddling, and after the treatment felt plump and radiant. If you are looking for an organic facial with amazing results, this should be on the top of your list!
Ozmosis spa offers a wide variety of packages with integrated sets of treatments aimed at rebalancing mind and body for couples, bachelorette events and even a party of one. One-off treatments can also be chosen from an overwhelmingly long list that includes massages, wraps, scrubs and facials among other treatments. Moreover, their dedication to natural products makes Ozmosis the only organic spa in KL I am aware of.
While it sounds cliche the Ozmosis team really looks after their customers and over-delivers. It has been the top spa experience I’ve had with a massage doze worth a lifetime for a typical European.
So spa fans, rejoice! Whether you are looking for a spa to spend an hour or a half a day, you will always find something special here. And after the session, you can always head downstairs and reward yourself with some amazing Spanish tapas.
Address:
Ozmosis Health & Day Spa
First Floor, 14 – 16, Jalan Telawi 2
Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Website: ozmosis.com.my
I was kindly invited by Jann and Jennie to experience what the word of mouth on Ozmosis spa is all about. Of course, all opinions remain my own, because this place is simply awesome and I couldn’t not share this with you 🙂